Today people all over the world are celebrating the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela.
The name Nelson Mandela means different things for different people, but on this day we forget our differences and strive to do better, to live in a world built on the pillars of peace and reconciliation.
We pay tribute to a great man and salute him on this day:
Leading up to Mandela Day Power FM created and shared a documentary that celebrates the life of the great leader. In the podcast Madiba says, to the great amusement of the audience: “I would like to be remembered as a 91-year-old pensioner who’s looking for a job. It is for humanity of our society to decide how I should be remembered.”
The documentary explores Madiba’s homestead in Qunu in the Eastern Cape where he is buried in a modest grave alongside his closest family members. The archival footage captures some of Madiba’s greatest speeches and quotes, among others: “I never wanted to be regarded as an angel, I’m an ordinary human being with weaknesses, some of them fundamental, and I’ve made many mistakes in my life. I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”
Who was Nelson Mandela? Here he tells you in his own words:
“I am the product of the people of South Africa. I am the product of the rural masses who inspired in me the pride in our past and the spirit of resistance. I am the product of the workers of South Africa who, in the mines, factories, fields and offices of our country, have pursued the principle that the interests of each are founded in the common interest of all. I am the product of Africa and her long-cherished dream of a rebirth that can now be realised so that all of her children may play in the sun.”
Listen to the 22-minute documentary, which features anecdotes from the man himself, including his famous retirement speech in which he said, “Don’t call me, I’ll call you”:
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Last year Pan Macmillan announced that they’ve acquired the rights to publish the sequel to Long Walk to Freedom, tentatively titled The Presidential Years. The Nelson Mandela Foundation also released the first pages of the sequel.
In the article South Africa’s former first lady Graça Machel said: “Madiba started working on a manuscript provisionally titled ‘The Presidential Years’ in 1998. He wanted to put on record his own reflections of those important years in his life (1994 – 1999) when he was President of South Africa. The book he had in mind was to be a natural progression from his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom.
“Circumstances did not allow him to complete the project. I am very pleased that a team comprising former senior advisors of his have accepted responsibility for completing this unfinished task on his behalf.”
In anticipation of this book, here is a preview of “Nelson Mandela: Presidential Years”:
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu released a statement on The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation in commemoration of Madiba.
In the video Tutu says: “For 67 years, Nelson Mandela placed the welfare of others above his own.” He reflects of Madiba’s life, which he calls “a lifetime of selflessness” and concludes by saying: “Imagine how much better the world would be were we all to recognise our common humanity, as Madiba did, and do something kind for someone else every day?”
Watch the video:
Click here to view the embedded video.
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On the anniversary of Mandela’s release from prison on 11 February this year, Daily Planet shared a free eBook entitled Freedom for Nelson Mandela, published by Times Media Books.
The title sheds light on three key events surrounding Mandela’s release, with chapters entitled “Preparing for Nelson Mandela’s Release”, “The Day of Freedom 11 February 1990″ and “The Immediate Impact”.
Read the free eBook here:
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What are doing for Mandela Day? Tell us on Facebook, Twitter or in the comment section below. Follow the hashtag #MandelaDay on Twitter for inspiration:
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Also read:
Book details
- Notes to the Future: Words of Wisdom by Nelson Mandela, Sello Hatang, Sahm Venter
EAN: 9781451675399
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- A Jacana Pocket Biography: Nelson Mandela by Colin Bundy
EAN: 9781431422036
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- Nelson Mandela: By Himself – The Authorised Book of Quotations by Nelson Mandela
EAN: 9781770103276
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- Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
EAN: 9780316323543
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- Gesprekke met myself by Nelson Mandela
Book homepage
EAN: 9780799367461
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- Our Madiba: Stories and Reflections from those who met Nelson Mandela by Melanie Verwoerd
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EAN: 9780624066354
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- Financial Mail Remembers Nelson Mandela 1918-2013 by Financial Mail
EAN: 9781928216049
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- Business Day Remembers Nelson Mandela 1918-2013 by Business Day
EAN: 9781928216032
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- Good Morning, Mr Mandela by Zelda la Grange
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EAN: 9780241014943
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- Goeiemore, Mnr. Mandela by Zelda la Grange
EAN: 9780143539117
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- Madiba and Me by Sunday Times
EAN: 9781928216025
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- The Children’s Madiba: The Life Story of Nelson Mandela by Sean Fraser
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EAN: 9780143538523
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- The Book of Forgiving: The Four-Fold Path of Healing For Ourselves and Our World by Desmond Tutu, Mpho Tutu
EAN: 9780007512881
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Images courtesy of the SABC and Be Limitless